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'Scrambling in terror:' PETA criticizes use of live penguins before Pens game at Heinz Field

A sports stadium with a loud fireworks display was no place for penguins from the Pittsburgh Zoo to be put on display, PETA says in a letter to Pittsburgh Penguins management.

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Updated: 6:24 PM EST Mar 2, 2017

Twitter @kikkerlaika

Real penguins were used in the pregame show for a Pittsburgh Penguins game at Heinz Field.

SOURCE: Twitter @kikkerlaika

'Scrambling in terror:' PETA criticizes use of live penguins before Pens game at Heinz Field

A sports stadium with a loud fireworks display was no place for penguins from the Pittsburgh Zoo to be put on display, PETA says in a letter to Pittsburgh Penguins management.

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Updated: 6:24 PM EST Mar 2, 2017

PITTSBURGH —

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is not happy about the use of real penguins during a pregame show for the Penguins-Flyers contest at Heinz Field last weekend.

Penguins from the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium were "scrambling in terror from a fireworks explosion" before the NHL Stadium Series game, PETA said in a letter to Penguins CEO David Morehouse on Thursday.

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The letter says animals "are not ours to use for entertainment," and it calls on the Pens to never have live animals involved in promotions again.

"It's inherently stressful for wild animals like penguins to be hauled around, used as props, and exposed to noisy crowds, with or without explosives going off," PETA executive vice president Tracy Reiman said in a statement. "PETA is calling for the only Penguins on the ice at Heinz Field to be humans on skates."

The game and the surrounding entertainment was an NHL production, as opposed to a typical Penguins home game at PPG Paints Arena.

Neither the Penguins or the NHL responded to Pittsburgh Action News 4's request for comment on the matter.

PETA is not alone in criticizing the decision to use animals at the game.

“The natural habitat for penguins is not on Heinz Field on fake ice with 60,000 people and two rock bands and fireworks going off," said Leila Sleiman, director of Justice for Animals.

The pro-animal group is a Pittsburgh-based organization that is also against the use of the penguins at the game.

“This drives the point home of why Sea World and the circus and places like that have fallen out of favor. Animals are not for entertainment and that’s really what it comes down to," said Sleiman.

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UPDATE: Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium spokeswoman Tracy Gray says the penguins that were used at Heinz Field "are very comfortable around people and noises," and the stadium show was a good opportunity for them to experience "new sounds, sights and smells."

She also says the NHL worked with the zoo in advance to ensure the birds' safety.

Below is the full text of the zoo's statement:

The safety of our animals of our animals is our top priority.

We met with the NHL to discuss our appearance at Heinz Field for the Winter Classic hockey game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers.

The NHL worked with us to ensure that the penguins would be safe and enjoy their visit to Heinz Field.

The Pittsburgh Zoo was honored to be asked to be a part of the Winter Classic as well as celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The penguins who attended the Winter Classic are some of the same penguins that participate in our weekend Penguins on Parade event. They are very comfortable around people and noises.

In addition, it was a great enrichment opportunity for our penguins to be introduced to new sounds, sights, and smells.

Keepers and our Senior Veterinarian were with the penguins at all times on the ice.

The loud pop from the pyro technical display temporarily startled the penguins and their first reaction, similar to a human's when startled, they flapped their wings.

It was less than 10 seconds and the penguins were back to normal and exploring and playing on the ice.

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Below is the full text of PETA's letter to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

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March 2, 2017

David MorehousePresident and CEOPittsburgh Penguins

Dear Mr. Morehouse,

I'm writing on behalf of PETA and our more than 5 million members and supporters worldwide to urge you never again to have live animals at Heinz Field, given the disturbing video footage showing penguins from the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium scrambling in terror after being paraded in front of a screaming crowd and in close proximity to ear-splitting fireworks.

It's inherently stressful for wild animals -- who naturally shun contact with humans and are extremely sensitive to environmental changes -- to be hauled around, used as props, and exposed to noisy crowds, with or without explosives going off. Hockey fans come to see talented athletes compete, not shy animals terrorized.

Being held in captivity is stressful enough to make penguins susceptible to illness, and putting them in a crowded, noisy stadium only makes matters worse. Also, since the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium -- which has been criticized recently for its plans to help SeaWorld separate bonded captive polar bears -- is no longer accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), it no longer has to maintain the AZA's minimal standards of care for penguins and other animals. In November, the facility was cited for critical noncompliance with the federal Animal Welfare Act when an enclosure flooded, killing 36 bats.

A noisy arena filled with screaming people and loud fireworks is no place for wild animals. At a time when Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus has announced that it will close and SeaWorld has ended its orca-breeding program, it has never been clearer that the public does not support the abuse of animals for human entertainment. Will you please let us know that you won't use live animals for promotions in the future?